Recently retired, sharing goals, loves, and challenges of the present and past.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Poems to My Grandchildren

I have been writing poems to my grandchildren since they were born: Here is the one I just finished to my newest grandchild:

Durham at almost 4 months

Baby Boy Durham

Robert Durham Fowler

born August 1, 2011

By MIMI, Bea Skeens

Baby Boy Durham

A wonder,

A joy

Precious gift created

At his health we rejoice!

Getting to know him

Right after the birth

We all want to help

We’re there with presents

His frowns and his smiles

He cries

And we “love” him

In sharing the blessing

A sacrament partaking

Their worry, their efforts

Their struggle to please him

We walk him

We bounce him

We talk all about him

How he is growing

So happy and peaceful!

Oh, he still cries

But for a good reason

He brings us all joy

With his smiles and his “talking”

We share him and hold him

And never want to leave him!

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Caroline was born and they lived with us for almost a year. It was such a joy to have them with us, never a burden! The end of the poem refers knowing that they would be leaving us to their own home,

This Christmas at my house.

BABY CAROLINE

By, Mimi Bea Skeens

June 2010

Seeing her world

Her eyes are so bright

Sleeping and waking

A constant delight

I read about brain cells

And help her to learn

I stick out my tongue

And talk with intent

But mostly I snuggle

And love and adore

As much as I can

‘cause soon she’ll be gone

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When Lauren was born we lived and both were working in St. Simons Island, and didn't plan to come and see her right away. We figured her Mama's family would be all around her and helping out and we didn't want to be in the way. A week after she was born my son called and asked us to come. "When are you going to come and see her?" We realized that he needed us there, so we went right away.

Isn't she beautiful??

Baby Girl Lauren

by Mimi - Bea Skeens April 2007

How do you feel with a baby

Not your own?

So far away

On the day she was born?

Rejoice at the news

She’s healthy and whole

The mother is fine

We can’t ask for more

When will we see her

And hold her and woo her?

Let’s wait, there’s no hurry

We don’t want to be a bother

But then there’s a phone call—

“Come now, you must see her!

She’s growing, she’s changing

The wonder, the glory

We just need to share her!”

So we went just this weekend

And we looked and we cherished

A small bundle of joy

A family in the making

So how do you feel

With a baby in your arms?

She’s mine, she’s mine!

All cozy and warm!

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Andrew was my first so I have several poems to him. Do all grandparents know that the first grandchild has a special place in our hearts? He is almost 8 and we continue to share a unique bond. I wrote the first poem when he was about 6 months and the second when he was 1 1/2. I wrote the second one in both Spanish and English when I was int writing Spanish poems too. (It is harder for me.)

Bea, I had nver read any of your grandchildren poems... they are wonderful! I finally wrote one about Mel - it took me quite a while, I never had one. But have not written about the grandchildren... hmm... maybe you'll inspire me! Much love, Mária